7.19.2010

rich cho is the new general manager of the trail blazers

While we're all waiting to see what happens with Jeremy Lin, here's some other big NBA news... Former Oklahoma City Thunder assistant GM Rich Cho has been named the new general manager of the Portland Trail Blazers: Thunder assistant Rich Cho named new Blazers GM.

Cho, a rising star who has been assistant for the Thunder for the past nine seasons, and holds degrees in engineering and law, is replacing Kevin Pritchard (who was fired just before the draft this summer):

"Rich is the perfect fit for our organization," Blazers president Larry Miller said. "He has the right balance of basketball knowledge, business acumen and tremendous people skills. Everyone I spoke to about Rich commented not just on his qualifications but on who he is as a person. He is well known for his ability to connect genuinely with people. Rich will be a great fit for our organization and for Portland. He is an executive on the rise and we're thrilled to have him as a Trail Blazer."

Cho, who becomes the ninth general manager in Trail Blazers history, joins the Trail Blazers after spending the past nine seasons as assistant general manager of the Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder.

"I am extremely humbled and grateful for this opportunity, and I will do everything I can to help this great team get even better," said Rich Cho. "When I met with Mr. Allen, Larry Miller, and coach McMillan, it was immediately apparent to me that this organization has an incredible commitment to winning. As someone who grew up in the northwest, I'm aware of the unbelievable passion and support that Trail Blazers fans have, and I'm excited to be a part of this rich tradition."

More here: Rich Cho named Trail Blazers general manager. It'll be Cho's job to reinvigorate the Trail Blazers' roster. Portland finished sixth in the Western Conference last season with a 50-32 mark and fell to the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the playoffs.

If I'm not mistaken, Rich Cho is the first Asian American general manager in NBA history. He follows Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat, who became the first Asian American coach of a major pro sports team in 2008. More here: Portland Trail Blazers Name Rich Cho General Manager.